A buoy corrosion detection system includes a buoy having a double hull section in which the outer hull is designed to corrode and fail prior to the rest of the hull. The double hull section is positioned at the waterline, which is the area most prone to corrosion. As the outer hull corrodes, water passes through the hull and is detected by a moisture detector. The moisture detector then relays a signal that water has entered through the hull, and a signaling circuit then sends a communication signal to the user indicating that the buoy has corrosion. The buoy corrosion detection system leads to an as-needed maintenance cycle for buoys.

A buoy corrosion detection system includes a buoy having a double hull section in which the outer hull is designed to corrode and fail prior to the rest of the hull. The double hull section is positioned at the waterline, which is the area most prone to corrosion. As the outer hull corrodes, water passes through the hull and is detected by a moisture detector. The moisture detector then relays a signal that water has entered through the hull, and a signaling circuit then sends a communication signal to the user indicating that the buoy has corrosion. The buoy corrosion detection system leads to an as-needed maintenance cycle for buoys.

An oceanographic sensor mooring section for use with standard oceanographic moorings comprising: mooring oceanographic equipment, such as floatation devices and sensors; and a subsurface power generation unit connected to the mooring oceanographic equipment, wherein the mooring section has connective swivels at opposing ends thereof for attachment of the mooring section to standard oceanographic moorings, mooring lines, or mooring anchors, to allow the mooring section to independently orient in the direction of current flow. The subsurface power generation unit comprises a battery and power management/tracking electronics and a rim turbine generating unit that harnesses the power of underwater currents to power any sensors and related electronics equipment.

An oceanographic sensor mooring section for use with standard oceanographic moorings comprising: mooring oceanographic equipment, such as floatation devices and sensors; and a subsurface power generation unit connected to the mooring oceanographic equipment, wherein the mooring section has connective swivels at opposing ends thereof for attachment of the mooring section to standard oceanographic moorings, mooring lines, or mooring anchors, to allow the mooring section to independently orient in the direction of current flow. The subsurface power generation unit comprises a battery and power management/tracking electronics and a rim turbine generating unit that harnesses the power of underwater currents to power any sensors and related electronics equipment.

A floating platform comprised of a tower, buoyant outriggers, and an articulated arm can be used in one embodiment to support an offshore wind turbine. The buoyant articulated arm is positioned with a winch system that supports the tower in a nearly horizontal position during assembly at shore and during transport. The winch and articulated arm elevate the system into its operational position at sea. The tower may include a keel structure to reduce motions and stresses on the system. The floating platform may rotate about an area surrounding an anchor system without active wind alignment equipment. The natural alignment with the wind allows for optimization of the structure, resulting in lighter-weight, less material mass and ultimately lower cost. The horizontal transport alleviates clearance restrictions of many bridges. Requiring neither large cranes nor specialized ships during installation, its ability to raise itself is scalable to large sizes lowering cost.

A floating platform comprised of a tower, buoyant outriggers, and an articulated arm can be used in one embodiment to support an offshore wind turbine. The buoyant articulated arm is positioned with a winch system that supports the tower in a nearly horizontal position during assembly at shore and during transport. The winch and articulated arm elevate the system into its operational position at sea. The tower may include a keel structure to reduce motions and stresses on the system. The floating platform may rotate about an area surrounding an anchor system without active wind alignment equipment. The natural alignment with the wind allows for optimization of the structure, resulting in lighter-weight, less material mass and ultimately lower cost. The horizontal transport alleviates clearance restrictions of many bridges. Requiring neither large cranes nor specialized ships during installation, its ability to raise itself is scalable to large sizes lowering cost.

A retriever system for retrieving a marine equipment. The retriever system comprises a hollow body having a first opening, a cap adapted to close the first opening of the hollow body and adapted to be removed. A buoyancy assembly housed in the hollow body and adapted to exit the hollow body when the cap is removed. A linkage system maintains the buoyancy assembly linked to the hollow body of the retriever system. The buoyancy assembly comprises first inflatable element and a second inflatable element, and an inflating system configured to, when activated, inflate the first inflatable element, so as to enable exiting of at least the second inflatable element of the buoyancy assembly out of the hollow body. Said inflating system is configured to start or to continue inflating the second inflatable element when said second inflatable element is out of the hollow body.

A retriever system for retrieving a marine equipment. The retriever system comprises a hollow body having a first opening, a cap adapted to close the first opening of the hollow body and adapted to be removed. A buoyancy assembly housed in the hollow body and adapted to exit the hollow body when the cap is removed. A linkage system maintains the buoyancy assembly linked to the hollow body of the retriever system. The buoyancy assembly comprises first inflatable element and a second inflatable element, and an inflating system configured to, when activated, inflate the first inflatable element, so as to enable exiting of at least the second inflatable element of the buoyancy assembly out of the hollow body. Said inflating system is configured to start or to continue inflating the second inflatable element when said second inflatable element is out of the hollow body.

A buoy assembly for use in water activities includes a shell that defines an interior space. The interior space is substantially empty so that the shell is buoyant. A net is positioned around and coupled to the shell. Each of opposing ends of a line is coupled to the net. A fastener, which is slidably coupled to the line, defines a wrist loop that is positioned distal from the shell. The fastener is selectively fixedly couplable to the line so that the fastener is positioned to be selectively slid on the line toward a wrist of user that is positioned in the wrist loop. The fastener is positioned to fixedly couple to the line to couple the shell to the user.

A buoy assembly for use in water activities includes a shell that defines an interior space. The interior space is substantially empty so that the shell is buoyant. A net is positioned around and coupled to the shell. Each of opposing ends of a line is coupled to the net. A fastener, which is slidably coupled to the line, defines a wrist loop that is positioned distal from the shell. The fastener is selectively fixedly couplable to the line so that the fastener is positioned to be selectively slid on the line toward a wrist of user that is positioned in the wrist loop. The fastener is positioned to fixedly couple to the line to couple the shell to the user.